The Conspiracy Theory About Obama Hoarding Ammo

Last month, conservative blogger Matt Drudge tweeted that he predicts 2013 will be the "year of Alex Jones," the conspiracy theorist extraordinaire who most recently made headlines by suggesting that the Boston Marathon bombings were a "false flag" attack perpetrated by the FBI.
Drudge has a point. As the leading purveyor of New World Order conspiracies, Jones has a growing Internet following of casual fearmongers who see nefarious government intrigue in the most mundane bureaucratic chores (e.g. water fluoridation), and believe it's only a matter of time before we are all living in FEMA concentration camps.
To the average person, this looks like lunacy. But is it all just conspiratorial blather? Or is there any truth to what Alex Jones and his fanboys are selling?
Mostly, the ideas are just nuts. But the most recent conspiracy theory du jour—that the government is stockpiling ammunition for an eventual showdown with the American people—has been surprisingly resilient.
The theory first began circulating last year, when the Infowars crowd noticed that the Department of Homeland Security had put in a procurement request for 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition—a surprisingly large number of bullets, even by a normal person's estimation.
DHS has tried to quell the rumor-mongering, assuring Congress that the bullets are primarily used for training purposes. A DHS spokesman told Republican House investigators last month that the department wasn't actually planning on buying all 1.6 billion bullets, and that the ammo would be spread over 70,000 agents over five years. In a letter to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) last November, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that DHS plans to buy around $37 million worth of ammo in 2013, which, based on past year’s expenses, would amount to around 100 million rounds. She also pointed out that the department has actually marginally decreased its ammunitions purchases over the last few years.

As bullets fly off the shelves, Alex Jones has warned his audience that the ammo shortage is a sign that the federal government is gearing up for widespread civic unrest.​

Still, that does seem like a lot of ammo for a non-defense agency. In 2012, DHS purchased more than 103 million rounds of ammo, an average of about 1,500 bullets per DHS officer. According to Napolitano, DHS had over 263 million rounds of ammunition in its inventory at the end of 2012.
Coupled with a recent nationwide ammunitions shortage, the apparent government stockpiling has sent the conspiracy theory mill into overdrive. As bullets fly off the shelves, Alex Jones has warned his audience that the ammo shortage is a sign that the federal government is gearing up for widespread civic unrest, and engaging in an "arms race against the American people."
That as-yet unfounded fear is underscored by an interesting nationwide trend: A recent poll found that a full 29 percent of Americans—including 44 percent of Republicans and 27 percent of independents—believe a revolution to protect their liberties might be necessary in the next few years.
If more than a quarter of the population, and nearly half of Republicans, believes that an armed confrontation with the government is imminent—and they are buying up weapons and ammo to prepare for the struggle—then it would only be logical for the federal government, and the Department of Homeland Security in particular, to prepare for this contingency.
But is the US government and the hundreds of billions of dollars of yearly military spending really trying to incite an "arms race" with citizens? Until US citizens start equipping themselves with Predator drones and aircraft carriers, the government will always have the upper hand when it comes to the use of force.
With that in mind, the idea that Homeland Security is trying to buy up all the bullets so civilians can't have any is silly. Who cares how much ammo anti-government citizens buy when they're facing an opposition with the largest budgets on Earth? So while it is true that there are currently off-and-on ammo shortages being reported around the country, Homeland Security purchasing plans (for the future, mind you) aren't to blame.
"Shortages have happened before but this seems to be a little more pronounced," said Mike Bazinet, a spokesperson for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, an industry lobbying group. "Ammunition manufacturers are working their facilities 24/7 to meet the demand, they are loading them up on trucks and putting them on the shelves, but they are moving very quickly once they get to retailers."
Bazinet dismissed the conspiracy theories, and said that the ammo shortage is primarily attributable to the recent increase in gun sales, a trend documented by the rise in FBI background checks for gun purchases.
“We've obviously seen the reports that the shortage is due to government stockpiling, but they are not accurate,” he said. "Government purchases are not the cause for shortages of retail product.”
But some members of Congress aren't buying it. To that end, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) recently introduced the AMMO Act, which would restrict non-defense agencies from purchasing ammo above the monthly average bought from 2000-2009, before the Obama administration took office. The law would also require the federal government to conduct a report auditing its ammunition purchase and their effect on the retail ammunition supply.Is this going to be suburban America in five years? Well, no, but all of those bullets have to be used somewhere, right? Via the Defense Department

Inhofe, for one, has suggested that the government stockpiling is a backdoor effort by Democrats to implement gun control measures that couldn't pass the Senate.
"President Obama has been adamant about curbing law-abiding Americans’ access and opportunities to exercise their Second Amendment rights," he said in a press release. "One way the Obama Administration is able to do this is by limiting what’s available in the market with federal agencies purchasing unnecessary stockpiles of ammunition."
In a recent interview, Lucas was a little more measured. He told me that he wasn't sure why the government needed so much ammunition, but that the perceived government stockpiling was sparking "fear" among average gun owners.
"There is a great suspicion in the countryside," Lucas said. "Part of it is that the actions of this administration have caused so much fear among people that ammunition might not be available in the future."
As a result, he added, “people are stockpiling in a way that they never have before."

More than a quarter of the population, and nearly half of Republicans, believes that an armed confrontation with the government is imminent.​

So far, there is no hard evidence to link the government’s ammo purchases to the rise in conspiratorial right-wing dissent. And obviously, it seems like a stretch to say that the government is in an “arms race” to deprive Americans of bullets.
But as New World Order conspiracy theories increasingly permeate civic life, right-wing conspiracy theorists appear to be taking concrete steps to prepare for what they see as an inevitable showdown, even if those steps often amount to showing off personal arsenals on the web.
What is for certain is that government conspiracy theories are gaining traction. We're already seeing the results of this on a small scale with the sovereign citizen movement, and the Southern Poverty Law Center has recently noted an "explosive growth" of radical antigovernment groups, just to name a couple.
So regardless of whether or not the government is stockpiling ammunition to keep people from revolting, a sizeable portion of the nation thinks that's the case. And now that members of Congress appear to be on board, the sticky conspiracy theory is causing real trouble on Capitol Hill. But rest assured that for the majority of people that "believe" armed confrontation is imminent, actually rounding up a militia to carry it out is a much larger stretch.

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The Conspiracy Theory About Obama Hoarding Ammo Is Causing Real Trouble | Motherboard
I think the writer of the article show's her true feelings quite loud and intended this article to be more of a hit piece towards the people that would question, their government's intentions. But she brings ups some good points for discussion. Her final statement sounds like more of a challenge to the convictions of the people unhappy with the direction of this country and what if anything we can do about it.
YD

Last edited by a moderator: Jan 27, 2015

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

If there is any doubt to an actual confiscation, just remember, remember Katrina...

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
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I've heard it said that DHS et al has over two billion .40 HP rounds. Enough for about five per man, woman and child in this country or about an equivalent of fifteen years of military usage. Whatever the count the amount of ammo is staggering for a government agency.

What could it be used for? A number of things. One, they expect massive riots and social unrest when the economy tanks and entitlements and government aid are no longer available (my guess). Two, they plan on creating social unrest and/or takeover and need the ammo to enforce their will (possible follow-up to item one). Three, they expect the possibility of invasion by a foreign government or people group. Four, they just like the warm fuzzy feeling that two plus billion rounds of pistol ammo gives them.

Just about every federal agency falls under DHS authority so they’re going to need a big supply. You do not however need to be an advocate of tin foil beanies to ask the question, For What?

I think that more often than not humans are cleaver wolves not dumb sheep. We just convince ourselves we don't know what's happening to avoid the responsibility. - TV wisdom. Sheep don’t tell wolves what’s for dinner - Anon.

I've actually figured out what it is for. When the US defaults on it's bonds, we are going to have a bunch of Chinese, German and just about every other country on the planet wanting to swap their worthless debt notes for some assets like .. ports, sky scrapers, ranches, fresh water from the great lakes. To keep that horde at bay is going to take a lot of bullets.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. "-- J. Krishnamurti“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.” -- George Orwell
Consider supporting Survivalmonkey.com by becoming a Site Supporter.

I've heard it said that DHS et al has over two billion .40 HP rounds. Enough for about five per man, woman and child in this country or about an equivalent of fifteen years of military usage. Whatever the count the amount of ammo is staggering for a government agency.

What could it be used for? A number of things. One, they expect massive riots and social unrest when the economy tanks and entitlements and government aid are no longer available (my guess). Two, they plan on creating social unrest and/or takeover and need the ammo to enforce their will (possible follow-up to item one). Three, they expect the possibility of invasion by a foreign government or people group. Four, they just like the warm fuzzy feeling that two plus billion rounds of pistol ammo gives them.

Just about every federal agency falls under DHS authority so they’re going to need a big supply. You do not however need to be an advocate of tin foil beanies to ask the question, For What?

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I'm happy it's .40 cal.

"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery "- Thomas Jefferson

"Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin

"Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less."- Robert E. Lee

"Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson

"If the Constitution and the Union established by our forefathers" were "restored" then there will be no truer supporters of that union and that Constitution than the Southern people. Every brave people who considered their rights attacked and their Constitutional liberties invaded, would have done as we did. Our conduct was not caused by any insurrectionary spirit nor can it be termed rebellion, for our construction of the Constitution under which we lived and acted was the same from its adoption and for eighty years we have been taught and educated by the founders of the Republic and their written declaration which controlled our consciences and actions."(General R.E. Lee)

The majority of the "2 billion" rounds are not in government warehouses. They are IDIQ contracts that lock in a price for purchases up to a maximum negotiated quantity over a period of several years.

If you could go to the gun store today and tell them you want to buy ammo for the next five years, but you want to pay today's price for it, and then tell them you will only pay them when you feel like you want some, but they still need to honor today's prices in five years, would you do it?

That is all DHS is doing with the majority of their contracts.

My guess the average person on this site has more ammo than DHS does for each of their folks that needs to qualify with a weapon. Remember both the Coast Guard and FLTC Glenco are under the DHS umbralla.

The majority of the "2 billion" rounds are not in government warehouses. They are IDIQ contracts that lock in a price for purchases up to a maximum negotiated quantity over a period of several years.

If you could go to the gun store today and tell them you want to buy ammo for the next five years, but you want to pay today's price for it, and then tell them you will only pay them when you feel like you want some, but they still need to honor today's prices in five years, would you do it?

That is all DHS is doing with the majority of their contracts.

My guess the average person on this site has more ammo than DHS does for each of their folks that needs to qualify with a weapon. Remember both the Coast Guard and FLTC Glenco are under the DHS umbralla.

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That makes sense. I'm still happy it's .40 cal. If I need a lot, they probably are getting a lot procured. lol

"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery "- Thomas Jefferson

"Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin

"Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less."- Robert E. Lee

"Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson

"If the Constitution and the Union established by our forefathers" were "restored" then there will be no truer supporters of that union and that Constitution than the Southern people. Every brave people who considered their rights attacked and their Constitutional liberties invaded, would have done as we did. Our conduct was not caused by any insurrectionary spirit nor can it be termed rebellion, for our construction of the Constitution under which we lived and acted was the same from its adoption and for eighty years we have been taught and educated by the founders of the Republic and their written declaration which controlled our consciences and actions."(General R.E. Lee)

I've watched the US Border Patrol practice at the range, Those boy's ARE pretty good at 10 yds.

Problem is that all they shoot is center mass AT ten yds.

They are the only one's that I care to see with plenty ammo, The rest of the ammo whore's is a BS smokescreen.

Pretty much like our government.

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Since getting my .40 XDm my accuracy has gotten a lot better. I can hit all 16 in the chest at 25 yards, all 16 in the head at 25 ft.

"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery "- Thomas Jefferson

"Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin

"Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less."- Robert E. Lee

"Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson

"If the Constitution and the Union established by our forefathers" were "restored" then there will be no truer supporters of that union and that Constitution than the Southern people. Every brave people who considered their rights attacked and their Constitutional liberties invaded, would have done as we did. Our conduct was not caused by any insurrectionary spirit nor can it be termed rebellion, for our construction of the Constitution under which we lived and acted was the same from its adoption and for eighty years we have been taught and educated by the founders of the Republic and their written declaration which controlled our consciences and actions."(General R.E. Lee)

The CBP course of fire for handgun qualification includes both strong and week side with transitions including one hand shooting. Ranges are from 3 to 25 yards and includes the use of cover, combat and tactical relaods, and classic failure drills with shots to the head.

Other agencies in DHS are very similar, although the number of rounds for each string and the scoring may be different.

Now back to the ammo thing:

DHS has about 70,000 folks that carry weapons across all the agencies, with an AOR that includes the entire country. The New York police department has something like 35000 and they only take care of one city. The majority of the DHS folks that carry guns are doing jobs that the Constitution actually tells the federal government they are responsible for doing. Protecting our boarders, immigration, customs, protecting commerce, preventing counterfeiting of money etc. We all want our federal government to stick to what the Constitution tells them they should be doing, Right? Well that is what the majority of the DHS agencies do.

There are enough things that our government does that deserve and require scrutiny, I just don't see how making sure that the folks we put in harms way have enough ammo to train and qualify is one of them. The way I see it, is if you hire someone to carry a gun, you better darn well make sure they are properly trained and that takes ammo. I have no problem arguing about the number of people the federal government hires, but once we hire them and give them a gun, they need to know how to use it.

I would rather focus my energies on keeping the federal government in the box the Constitution created for them.

I bet !!! Those are noted for being fine fine shooters, BTW, Where are we finding 22lr in Ak. ?

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Still have a couple of bricks from the LAST CaseI bought 10 years ago... Have my Son, an Ammunition Scrounger, looking for a couple of Cases for Me, He already has my IMR 4064 and IMR 4895 8# Jugs of Powder in Stock and will ship the whole mess on the first barge North in the spring.

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....

"Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin

"Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less."- Robert E. Lee

"Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson

"If the Constitution and the Union established by our forefathers" were "restored" then there will be no truer supporters of that union and that Constitution than the Southern people. Every brave people who considered their rights attacked and their Constitutional liberties invaded, would have done as we did. Our conduct was not caused by any insurrectionary spirit nor can it be termed rebellion, for our construction of the Constitution under which we lived and acted was the same from its adoption and for eighty years we have been taught and educated by the founders of the Republic and their written declaration which controlled our consciences and actions."(General R.E. Lee)

My son DHS agent( I won`t say which one) and he told me what his average ammo usage is a year for practice and qualification...he then did the math for the number of individuals in the DHS that have to qualify and practice...after that the numbers don`t seem so out of line. Also the NRA had an article out and they went thru all the numbers and it all sounded logical.
Also most of those agencies are strict 9 to 5 bureacrats that are represented by a union. How are they going to declare and keep a marshall law order when it is 1700 hrs and time to go home? And they can`t get approval from a supervisor for the OT. I could relate a lot of stories on DHS ineffectivness but I don`t want to compromise anyone. I asked my son about the marshall law scenario and he just laughed...an awful lot.

If martial law is ever declared it would take DOD to enforce it. The majority of the DHS folks that know how to use a gun are civilian and the ones that are not (USCG) are not about to go to war with the small towns they are stationed in. The majority of the DHS civilians would tell their boss to pack sand and then call their union rep.

Now make no mistake where I'm coming from, I think some components of DHS have overstepped and congress needs to give them an attitude adjustment. But the majority of the operational folks in DHS are only in DHS because their agency got transfered, and nobody asked them what they thought about it.